Lock protection apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for protecting the bolt of a lock from being cut. A first member has a hasp attached with a hole through one end and a second member has a slot hasp. The first and second members are locked together when the hasp is passed through the slot and the bolt of the lock is passed through the hole in the hasp. A protective wall is formed on the second member around the slot. When the members are locked together the protective wall renders the bolt inaccessible to the usual massive tools required for quick cutting of the bolt.

United States Patent [191 Maurer 51 May 20, 1975 LOCK PROTECTIONAPPARATUS [76] Inventor: Donald L. Maurer, 2125 Petersburg Dr.,Milpitas, Calif. 95035 22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1973 [21] App]. No.2 410,439

3,800,570 4/1974 Kaplan 70/18 Primary ExaminerRobert L. Wolfe Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Flehr, Hohbach, Test,

Albritton & Herbert ABSTRACT Apparatus for protecting the bolt of a lockfrom being cut. A first member has a hasp attached with a hole throughone end and a second member has a slot hasp. The first and secondmembers are locked together when the hasp is passed through the slot andthe bolt References Cited of the lock is passed through the hole in thehasp. A UNITED STATES PATENTS protective wall is formed on the secondmember 858,769 7 1907 Warner 70/260 X around the slot- When the membersare locked l,429,105 9/1922 Rudy 70/56 gether the protective wallrenders the bolt inaccessible 3,590,607 7/1971 Beaver 70/5 C to theusual massive tools required for quick cutting of 3,652,114 3/1972 Cady292/281 th b lt 3,718,014 2/1973 Delgedillo 70/56 3,736,016 5/1973Garvey 292/281 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures LOCK PROTECTION APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device forprotecting the bolt of a lock from being cut and more particularly tosuch as a device for preventing quick cutting by barring the usualmassive tools used therefor.

Considerable pilferage and unlawful entry occurs when persons forcelocks by cutting the lock bolts with bolt cutters for example. Evenhardened metallic lock parts are susceptible to separation by boltcutting tools. Spare tires on pickup trucks have been a particularlyattractive item for thieves who in the past have merely had to cutthrough a single readily accessible bolt, to release the tire from thestorage position on the truck and subsequently remove it. Means areneeded to thwart those who would break locks for the purpose of removinggoods secured thereby, or at least to require sufficient time for suchlocks to be broken to make it likely that the impending thievery couldbe detected and stopped before completion.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION One of two members which are to besecured to gether has a hasp attached thereto having a hole in its endfor receiving the bolt of a lock. The other member has a projection alsohaving a hole for receiving the bolt of the lock. The projection ismounted on a base plate which has a through slot adjacent to theprojection fashioned to allow the hasp to pass therethrough. Aprotective wall is built upon the base plate surrounding the projection.When the hasp is inserted through the slot in the base plate and thehole in the end of the hasp is aligned with the hole in the projection,the bolt of the lock may be inserted through the algined holes therebysecuring the two members together. The position of the protective wallprecludes the possibility of using a tool which could quickly cut thebolt and release the members.

In general it is an object of the present invention to provideprotection for the bolt of a lock securing two members together.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protectivedevice for the bolt of a lock so that a cutting operation performed onthe bolt would necessarily consume considerable time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protectivedevice for the bolt of a lock which does not render normal locking andunlocking of the lock inconvenient.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiments have been setforth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of aspare tire support for a pickup truck incorporating the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the elongate cross member used inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric sectional view of the hasp and cross membersalong the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of the lockprotection apparatus used on a fence gate.

FIG. 5 is an isometric sectional view of another embodiment of the lockprotection device similar to FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The lock protection devicedisclosed herein prevents the cutting of a bolt on a lock altogether, orat the very least prevents quick cutting of the bolt. In either case thetime expended by thieves in their attempt to rupture a lock is extendedproviding greater probability of detection and theft prevention. FIGS.1, 2 and 3 show one embodiment of the invention which is attached to theframework 11 of a pickup truck. A spare tire 12 is often suspendedbeneath the framework 11 on an elongate cross member 13 supported fromthe framework by two end bolts 14 and 16. Without more structure it mayreadily be seen that a bolt cutting device could be applied to eitherend bolt 14 or 16, severing the same,

allowing the elongate cross member 13 to be swung aside for removing thespare tire 12 from its storage position, whereupon it may be removedfrom the scene.

A hasp member 17 has a plurality of through holes 19 formed therein forproviding adjustment of mounted position of hasp 17 on framework 11.l-Iasp member 17 is secured to the frame 11 by fastening means such asrivets or bolts 18. Hasp 17 also has a through hole 21 in the endopposite that mounted to the framework 1 1. Hole 21 is formed to accepta bow or bolt 22 such as that carried by a padlock 23.

There is a slot or hole 24 formed through elongate cross member 13 andcentrally disposed between the sides and the ends of the cross member13. An end bolt hole 25 is formed near each end of cross member 13. Atongue or projection 26 is formed adjacent to hole 24 as seen in FIG. 3and may be formed of the material which is punched out or displaced whenforming hole 24. Projection 26 in turn has a hole 27 formed therethroughwhich will accept bolt 22.

Elongate cross member 13 forms a base plate upon which is mounted abulkhead or protective wall 28 which completely surrounds hole 24 andprojection 26. Protective wall 28 is of sufficient height to provide awell which encloses projection 26 rendering bolt 22 substantiallyinaccessible when it is passed through hole 27.

A U-shaped depression 31 is formed in the central portion of elongatecross member 13. The width of the U 31 is smaller than the insidediameter of a wheel 29 upon which tire 12 is mounted. The height of theU 31 is preferably greater than the height of the protective wall 28. Inthis fashion padlock 23 avoids undue exposure tocontact by passingobjects and possible damage therefrom.

The manner in which the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is utilized maybe explained as follows. Hasp member 17 is mounted on framework 11utilizing fasteners 18 passing through a preselected one of theplurality of holes 19 so that the hasp member 17 will extend through thecenter hole in the wheel 29 carrying the spare tire 12. End bolt 14 issuspended from the vehicle frame 11 and elongate cross member 13 isattached to the lower end thereof by passing the end bolt 14 through oneof the end bolt holes 25. The spare tire 12 and wheel 29 combination islifted into position surrounding hasp 17 until hasp 17 extends below thewheel 29. Elongate cross member 13 is then positioned so that hole 24underlies the end of hasp member 17 and is then elevated to contact tirel2 and to allow hasp member 17 to project through hole 24. End bolt 16may now be fastened to the frame 11 to extend through the second hole 25in cross member 13 for supporting the spare tire 12 in its storageposition as shown in FIG. 1. Holes 21 and 27 are aligned and bolt 22 ofpadlock 23 is passed through holes 21 and 27 and closed or locked,thereby securing elongate cross member 13 to the vehicle framework 11.In this configuration either or both end bolts 14 and 16 may be cut andthe tire l2 and the wheel 29 combination will not be released from thevehicle framework 11. Bolt 22 is not accessible to the jaws of a boltcutter since protective wall 28 blocks the advance of such a tool towardbolt 22. It should be noted that while bolt 22 is protected and renderedinaccessible to tools for quickly breaking bolt 22, access to thekeyhole on the end of padlock 23 is maintained for unlocking padlock 23with the appropriate key.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. A gatepost 32 has fastened thereon a member 33 carrying a hasp 34 projectingtherefrom. An outermost vertical edge 36 of a swinging hinged gate isshown having a base plate 37 mounted thereto. A bulkhead or protectivewall 38 is attached to the base plate 37 forming a well 39 therein. Ahole 41 is formed within well 39 in base plate 37 to allow hasp 34 topass therethrough. A projection 42 is formed adjacent to hole 41 andattached to base plate 37. An additional hole 43 is placed throughprojection 42. I-Iasp 34 has a hole 44 formed in the end thereof havinga configuration similar to that of hole 43.

When gate edge 36 is swung to the closed position hasp 34 projectsthrough hole 41. Holes 44 and 43 are aligned and a bolt 46 in the opencondition on a padlock 47 is passed through the aligned holes 43 and 44.When bolt 46 is secured in padlock 47 the gate is in the lockedcondition and bolt 46 is rendered inaccessible by protective wall 38 dueto the depth of wall 39 being sufficient to block direct access to bolt46. Unrestricted access to keyhole 48 in padlock 47 is maintained as maybe seen in FIG. 4.

FIG. shows an additional embodiment providing another configuration ofthe lock protection device.

Two members to be locked together have attached" thereto a hasp 49 and abaseplate 51 respectively. A through slot 52 is formed centrally inbaseplate 51 to accept hasp 49 and a through-hole 53 is formed in hasp49. A protective wall 54 is attached to baseplate 51 surrounding slot 53forming a well 56. Wall 54 may be attached by any of a number ofconventional means such as by screws or welding.

In operation the embodiment of FIG. 5 requires hasp 49 to be placedthrough slot 52 so that hole 53 is accessible in well 56. A bow or bolt57 of a padlock 58 is passed through hole 53 and locked. Well 56 is atleast deep enough to enclose all of bolt 57 and has a length and widthsufficient to allow padlock 58 to be maneuvered therein for insertionand retraction of bolt 57 from hole 53. Thus keyhole 59 is readilyaccessible and bolt 57 is protected from being broken while in thelocked condition receiving the two members together.

A device has been provided which prevents bolt cutting by conventionalmassive bolt cutting tools. Limited access to the bolt on a lock isavailable, but the amount of time required to break a bolt protected bythe disclosed invention is sufficient to render detection probable thusproviding for protection from theft and unlawful entry. At the same timethere is no interference with normal locking and unlocking procedures.

I claim:

1. A protective apparatus for the bolt of a lock which secures twomembers together comprising a hasp attached to one member, a base plateattached to the other member, means attached to said base plate formedto mate with said hasp for being secured thereto by the bolt, and acontinuous protective wall attached to said base plate and surroundingsaid means attached to said base plate, whereby when said hasp is matedwith said means attached to said base plate and secured thereto by thebolt, the bolt is protected from cutting by said protective bulkhead.

2. A protective apparatus for the bolt of a lock securing two memberstogether wherein one member has a hasp attached having a hole forreceiving the bolt comprising a base plate attached to the other memberand having an opening therethrough for passing the hasp, a projectionadjacent to said opening having a hole for receiving the bolt, and acontinuous protective wall attached to said base plate surrounding saidprojection, said continuous protective wall having a height extendingbeyond said projection, whereby when said hasp passes through saidopening, the hole in the hasp is aligned with said hole in theprojection and the bolt of the lock is passed therethrough, the bolt isrendered substantially inaccessible to cutting devices by saidprotective wall.

3. A protective apparatus for a bolt on a lock securing a spare tire andwheel on a vehicle, comprising a hasp member having a hole for receivingthe bolt on one end and secured to the vehicle on the other end, anelongate cross member for bearing against the side of the tire havingone end pivotally secured to the vehicle for securing the tire againstthe vehicle frame and having a hole centrally disposed between the crossmember ends and sides for passing said hasp member, a projection securedto said cross member adjacent to said centrally disposed hole and havinga hole therein for receiving the bolt, a.protective wall secured to saidcross member surrounding said projection, whereby when the spare tirewheel is placed adjacent the vehicle so that said hasp member passesthrough the center thereof and said elongate cross member is pivotedinto position against the side of the tire so that the holes in the haspmember and projection are in alignment, the bolt on the lock may bepassed through the aligned holes and the bolt and the hasp are renderedsubstantially inaccessible to cutting devices by said protective wall.

4. A protective apparatus for a bolt on a lock as in claim 3 whereinsaid elongate cross member has a centrally located U-shaped portionwhich extends into the wheel inside diameter, whereby said protectivewall is contained within the tire axial width dimension.

5. An apparatus for securing a spare tire and wheel combination to aframework of a vehicle comprising an elongate cross member for bearingagainst the side of the tire and having one end pivotally secured to theframework, said elongate cross member having a hasp member secured atone end to the framework for passing through said aperture and having ahole through the other end for receiving a U-shaped bolt on a lock, acontinuous protective wall surrounding said aperture, having a wallheight exceeding the height of the legs of 6. An apparatus as in claim 5wherein said elongate cross member has a central portion depressionadapted to extend along a diameter of the spare tire within the insidediameter of the wheel, whereby said continuous protective wall ispositioned inwardly on the wheel axis so that contactbetween theU-shaped bolt and objects passing close by the side of the tire isavoided.

1. A protective apparatus for the bolt of a lock which secures twomembers together comprising a hasp attached to one member, a base plateattached to the other member, means attached to said base plate formedto mate with said hasp for being secured thereto by the bolt, and acontinuous protective wall attached to said base plate and surroundingsaid means attached to said base plate, whereby when said hasp is matedwith said means attached to said base plate and secured thereto by thebolt, the bolt is protected from cutting by said protective bulkhead. 2.A protective apparatus for the bolt of a lock securing two memberstogether wherein one member has a hasp attached having a hole forreceiving the bolt comprising a base plate attAched to the other memberand having an opening therethrough for passing the hasp, a projectionadjacent to said opening having a hole for receiving the bolt, and acontinuous protective wall attached to said base plate surrounding saidprojection, said continuous protective wall having a height extendingbeyond said projection, whereby when said hasp passes through saidopening, the hole in the hasp is aligned with said hole in theprojection and the bolt of the lock is passed therethrough, the bolt isrendered substantially inaccessible to cutting devices by saidprotective wall.
 3. A protective apparatus for a bolt on a lock securinga spare tire and wheel on a vehicle, comprising a hasp member having ahole for receiving the bolt on one end and secured to the vehicle on theother end, an elongate cross member for bearing against the side of thetire having one end pivotally secured to the vehicle for securing thetire against the vehicle frame and having a hole centrally disposedbetween the cross member ends and sides for passing said hasp member, aprojection secured to said cross member adjacent to said centrallydisposed hole and having a hole therein for receiving the bolt, aprotective wall secured to said cross member surrounding saidprojection, whereby when the spare tire wheel is placed adjacent thevehicle so that said hasp member passes through the center thereof andsaid elongate cross member is pivoted into position against the side ofthe tire so that the holes in the hasp member and projection are inalignment, the bolt on the lock may be passed through the aligned holesand the bolt and the hasp are rendered substantially inaccessible tocutting devices by said protective wall.
 4. A protective apparatus for abolt on a lock as in claim 3 wherein said elongate cross member has acentrally located U-shaped portion which extends into the wheel insidediameter, whereby said protective wall is contained within the tireaxial width dimension.
 5. An apparatus for securing a spare tire andwheel combination to a framework of a vehicle comprising an elongatecross member for bearing against the side of the tire and having one endpivotally secured to the framework, said elongate cross member having ahasp member secured at one end to the framework for passing through saidaperture and having a hole through the other end for receiving aU-shaped bolt on a lock, a continuous protective wall surrounding saidaperture, having a wall height exceeding the height of the legs of saidU, so that when a tire is placed against the framework and said elongatecross member is pivoted to lie across the tire diameter, said haspmember passes through said aperture, whereby the U-shaped bolt may bepassed through said hole for securing the spare tire to the frameworkand said hasp member and bolt are thereby protected from access bycutting implements by said continuous wall.
 6. An apparatus as in claim5 wherein said elongate cross member has a central portion depressionadapted to extend along a diameter of the spare tire within the insidediameter of the wheel, whereby said continuous protective wall ispositioned inwardly on the wheel axis so that contact between theU-shaped bolt and objects passing close by the side of the tire isavoided.